The Effects of Foot-binding on the Foot Bones. Four to six was the ideal age, as you could reason with the girls and help them deal with the pain. X-ray of bound feet. Little by little,it would start breaking bones from all the body. Legend says that foot binding began in Shang times. (Image: YouTube/Screenshot via Living History: Bound Feet Women of China), Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly email. It was not uncommon for one or more toes to be lost or to have infections in the foot or gangrene. The practice became widespread among the upper classes during the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE), especially in central and northern China. With servants to perform menial tasks, a lady’s mobility was limited even in normal circumstances, but with bound feet, walking must have only been achieved with great difficulty. That foot-binding became very common is evidenced by the fact that Chinese writers from the 12th to 14th century CE anticipate their readers are familiar with it. Vision Times tells the world everything about China in today’s context. When and where did foot binding start and end? His special interests include pottery, architecture, world mythology and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share in common. (12) Foot binding is said to have started as an indicator of Chinese class, but as time progressed, the tradition became more commonplace. When Did The 20th Century Start And End? Those who had their feet bound to become more desirable, now found themselves being abandoned by their husbands, as it was no longer fashionable. The practice of female foot-binding in China originated in the mid-900s, after Emperor Li Yu was tantalized by a dancer who “bound her feet into the shape of a new moon.” Within a couple hundred years, it had become customary for girls to begin having their feet systematically massaged, broken and bound at the age of 5. There are a few suggestions for the origin of foot binding, however, the general view is it originated from the time of Emperor Li Yu (Southern Tang of the Ten Kingdoms, just before the Song Dynasty). According to the story, an emperor had a favorite concubine, a dancer who built a gilded stage in the shape of a lotus flower. Footbinding was banned in 1912, but some … The practice of binding feet may have started with the dancer Yaoniang, who performed in the Tang dynasty court, or more generally the Turkic dancers who performed there during the 10th century CE. It is not clear when footbinding began but it is commonly linked to the second ruler of the Tang Dynasty Li Yu (937-978). Even the style of walking that a woman with bound feet was now forced to adopt — small, light steps were seen as elegant. The practice officially was sanctioned in 1902. The feet were unbound after one month, any ulcerations of the skin treated, and the foot rebound again. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE. Certainly, the binding of feet to reduce their size was long-associated with women who earned their money entertaining men in one way or another. A small foot in China was no different to a tiny waist in Victorian England, representing the height of female refinement. These dancers were known for their small feet and bow-shoes which had upturned toes. The lack of mobility would not have greatly affected working women in their traditional household employment of spinning, weaving, sewing, and embroidery. Obviously being a painful process and leaving women so treated with permanent problems of mobility, which also seriously limited any role they could take on in wider society, the practice was not without its critics. The ends of the binding cloth were even sewn so that the girl could not loosen it. O Christmas Tree, Your Green Branches Delight Us! How did foot binding come to an end? Widely used as a method to distinguish girls of the upper class from everyone else, and later as a way for the lower classes to improve their social prospects, the practice of foot-binding would continue right up to the early 20th century CE. The smaller the feet the more attractive they were, even erotic for some, and it became a distinct mark of elegance. Please support Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation. Although critics campaigned against the practice in support of women, an unexpected side effect occurred; those who had their feet bound to become more desirable now found themselves being abandoned by their husbands, as it was no longer fashionable. Tiny feet, despite the origins amongst dancers and courtesans, came to symbolise not only elegance but also moral virtue and modesty. Finally, aristocratic young men of the Tang period were becoming more refined in dress and appearance so that foot-binding may have been an attempt to further distinguish the sexes. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Foot-Binding/. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Books Emperor K’ang Hsi made another attempt in 1662 CE but, realising he was fighting a losing battle against parents, he withdrew the ban in 1668 CE. In those regions of China where women were more involved in agricultural work such as the cultivation of wet rice, foot-binding was less common. When—and why—did the practice of foot binding begin? During the process, young girls either couldn't support the pain or they usually were infected. Answer (1 of 6): Footbinding started during the Tang Dynasty. The Ancient History Encyclopedia logo is a registered EU trademark. At first they had little effect, but gradually pressure came from more directions. The practice of foot binding does not have an actual date of when it started; however there are many legends as to when the practice began and why. That's a lot of wiggle room and just goes to show how fuzzy history can get sometimes. The most desirable bride possessed a three-inch foot, known as a “golden lotus.”, A small foot in China was no different to a tiny waist in Victorian England, representing the height of female refinement. The Qing poet Yuan Mei (1716-1797 CE) was one notable figure who was publicly against foot-binding, and Confucian scholars remained unimpressed, associated as it was with women of the ‘entertainment’ industry and having the sole purpose of making the woman more attractive. The smaller the feet, the more attractive they were, and it became a distinct mark of elegance. For these women, the process that began with a lot of pain and tears would likewise have ended with pain and tears. The big toe was left facing forwards while the four smaller toes were bent under the foot. Immediately after this agonizing procedure, the feet were bound in place using cotton or silk bandages, 3 meters long and 5 cm wide (10 ft by 2 in). This colonization coincided with the height of foot binding. The End Of Foot Binding In China ... , because they have the potential to start transformational change 1 2. So, foot binding started with the royal court and then spread throughout China, beginning in the south of the country and soon reaching the north. There developed certain proverbs, too, like Teng er bu teng xue, teng nu bu, teng jiao, meaning something like “if you care for your children, do not worry if your son suffers for his studies or your daughter for her feet” (Blake, 681). The marriage prospects for such a girl were dim indeed. Cartwright, M. (2017, September 27). In the larger cites, people who found women with bound feet would cut off their bindings. The ban was reasonably effective in the coastal cities, but foot-binding continued unabated in much of the countryside. In order to gain the emperor’s favor, the other concubines then attempted the practice; after all, Yao Niang was the emperor’s favorite concubine. "The Disappearance of Foot-Binding in Tinghsien. When—and why—did the practice of foot binding begin? The widespread nature of the practice by aristocrats meant that lower class parents saw foot-binding as an opportunity to raise the prospects of their own children. For these women, the process that began with a lot of pain and tears would likewise have ended with pain and tears. (The opposition to foot binding) ... something that could only be achieved through foot binding. The foot binding process was long, excruciatingly painful and pretty gross. In the 12th century, foot binding became much more widespread, and by the early Qing Dynasty (in the mid-17th century), every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound. Facing increasing aggression from Communist China, Taiwan has undertaken the domestic production of eight indigenous submarines to protect its territorial autonomy. By the time Mao Zedong took control of China in 1949, foot binding had mostly vanished, with the exception a few remote, mountainous areas in the country. First, each foot would be soaked in a warm mixture of herbs and animal blood; this was intended to soften the foot and aid the binding. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 27 Sep 2017. (Image: United States Library of Congress via wikimedia ). The process usually started during the winter months hoping the feet would be numb, and therefore the pain would not be as extreme. The first mention in historical records dates to when the Tang court was at Nanking between 937 and 975 CE. Facts about Chinese Foot Binding 6: the negative impact of foot binding Over time, decorative shoes got smaller and smaller as the heel and sole were crushed together. Four to six was the ideal age, as you could reason with the girls and help them deal with the pain. The bindings were loosened and retightened thereafter once each month until the girl reached her early teens (or even longer depending on the desired effect). One legend suggests foot binding began during the reign of Li Yu (961-975) who ruled one region of china, according to … Europe has emerged as the new focus for the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) global campaign of political influence. The broken feet were also kneaded to soften them and the soles of the girl’s feet were often beaten to make the joints and broken bones more flexible. It is said that Yao Niang [the Emperor’s most favored concubine] bound her feet into a hoof-like shape and danced on the image of a large lotus flower . Mark is a history writer based in Italy. The world began to regard foot binding as something that was an integral part of the old China and became a custom that was deemed as barbaric. The first recorded binding occurred in the Five Dynasties and Ten States period in the 10th century. ", Gamble, S.D. These dancers were known for their small feet and “bow-shoes” which had upturned toes. 20th Century. Cartwright, Mark. Cite This Work The ends of the binding cloth were even sewn so that the girl could not loosen it. License. (Gamble, 181). Cartwright, Mark. After the Qing Dynasty fell, foot binding became unfashionable. 5. manchu women can marry although they have not bound feet, but they have right to choice to accept or refuse,and officials don't support that is why most of manchu people don't have bound feet until late qing dynasty, Ancient History Encyclopedia. For marriageable daughters, foot size translated into its own form of currency and a means of achieving upward mobility. The aim of the long & excruciating process was to have feet no longer than 7.5-10 cm, when they were known as “Golden Lotus”. The end of foot binding From the latter half of the 19th century onwards there were more and more movements to ban foot binding. This would humiliate the woman as she would have never shown her bare feet to anyone — not even her husband would have seen her feett. Living History: Bound Feet Women of China. According to a legend, a beautiful concubine danced on her toes like a ballerina inside of a giant lotus flower. Subsequently, foot-binding was performed on girls of all classes. The aimed result of the long and excruciating process was to have feet no longer than 7.5-10 cm (3-4 inches), when they were known as jinlian - “Golden Lotus” or “Lotus” feet after the central life symbol of Buddhism. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Foot binding portrayed in fascinating images that show how China has changed in the past 100 years 26 Before the Communist Party came into power, opium abuse was officially illegal. She wore plain socks, and danced on the lotus which was made of gold. By the 18th century CE there were occasional popular movements to stop the practice but still, despite the pains and consequences, foot-binding remained a common practice in China into the early 20th century CE. Emperor Li Yu created a six-foot tall golden lotus decorated with precious stones and pearls, and asked his concubine Yao Niang (zh) to bind her feet in white silk into the shape of the crescent moon, and performed a ballet-like dance on the points of her feet on the lotus. In 1999, the last shoe factory making lotus shoes, the Zhiqiang Shoe Factory in Harbin, closed. Considered an attractive quality, the effects of the process were painful and permanent. With so many Western women entering the country, there was a strong push against the practice, especially from the wives of Christian missionaries. Footbinding has been compared to other ways to “perfect” the female body, such as corsets and female genital cutting or mutilation. The bindings were loosened and re-tightened thereafter once each month until the girl reached her early teens (or even longer depending on the desired effect). (Image: wikimedia / CC0 1.0). Foot-Binding. Other stories say foot binding began during Tang times. On each passing, the bandage was tightened, pulling the ball of the foot and the heel together, causing the broken foot to fold at the arch. The foot binding practice ended in the beginning of 20th century due to the extensive anti foot binding campaigns. ". The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) is regularly cited as the greatest... Chinese culture is one of the oldest in the world today. In the 12th century, foot binding became much more widespread, and by the early Qing Dynasty (in the mid-17th century), every girl who wished to marry had her feet bound. It started in China in the 10th century and was only completely abolished in the 20th. In this position, the feet were tightly bound using long strips of cloth, which then restricted any future growth and gave the foot a pronounced arch. Mothers, grandmothers, or older female relatives were usually the first to bind the girl’s feet. Supposedly, it started after the Emperor told everyone why he loved his wife so much - she had small feet. Foot binding originally began in the 10th century. They invented gunpowder. Imagine massaging your 3-year-old daughter’s feet, then you grab her little toes and curl them under her foot, then you press with excessive force downward and squeeze them into the sole of the foot until her toes break. Foot binding would normally occur in a ritualistic ceremony accompanied by other traditions intending to ward off bad luck. https://www.ancient.eu/Foot-Binding/. Cultures. Foot binding is an old Chinese custom of wrapping girls' feet with cloth in order to stop them from growing with age. (Image: YouTube/Screenshot via Living History: Bound Feet Women of China). It has been estimated that by the 19th century, 40-50 percent of all Chinese women may have had bound feet, and up to almost 100 percent among upper-class Han Chinese women. Then, all the toes, except the big toes, were broken and held tightly against the sole of the foot while the arch was strained as the foot was bent double until it was forcibly broken making a triangle shape. Chinese groups included the Natural Feet Society and the Anti-Foot Binding Society. Actually there were many Chinese reformers who tried to ban foot binding in 19th century. Then, all the toes, except the big toes, were broken and held tightly against the sole of the foot while the arch was strained as the foot was bent double until it was forcibly broken making a triangle shape. (Image: via wikimedia / CC0 1.0). When—and why—did the practice of foot binding begin? Web. Gradually, other court ladies—with money, time and a void to fill—took up foot-binding, making it … It has been estimated that by the 19th century, 40-50 percent of all Chinese women may have had bound feet, and up to almost 100 percent among upper-class Han Chinese women. According to history, an emperor's favorite concubine danced on a gilded lotus flower with bound feet, which gained the emperor's favor. However, the practice did not truly end until the creation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. The emperor Chun Chi, of the Manchu dynasty which never practised foot-binding at court, tried to impose a ban in 1645 CE but the measure was not successful. Studies of a sample village of over 500 families in 1929 CE (Tinghsien) showed that it was almost a universal practice amongst women over 40 years of age but reduced to around half when considering the female population as a whole. Chinese girls had their feet bound typically from the age of five to eight. Written by Mark Cartwright, published on 27 September 2017 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. It was preferable to have someone other than the mother do it, as she might have been sympathetic to her daughter’s pain and less willing to keep the bindings tight. It was also a form of deformation. There thus developed a certain peer pressure amongst families to perform the process on their daughters or risk not finding them eligible husbands. However, there was no significant result about it. The earliest relevant written records date to the 13th century and refer to the fame of the dancing girls with tiny feet and beautiful bow shoes at the court of the Southern Tang Dynasty (937-975) in southern-central China. The first recorded foot binding started from the Five Dynasties and Ten States in the 10th century and it became prevalent in the Song Dynasty (960–1279). 23 Dec 2020. When all was ready, the task was done by the older women of the family or by a professional foot-binder. (Image: YouTube/Screenshot via Living History: Bound Feet Women of China). The friar made the following note on the practice: And with the women the great beauty is to have little feet; and for this reason mothers are accustomed, as soon as girls are born to them, to swathe their feet tightly so that they can never grow in the least. Eventually, the trait became something to take careful note of by parents arranging the marriage of their son. For most, the bound feet eventually became numb. The Effects of Foot-binding on the Foot Bonesby Marco L (Public Domain). Another reason for its popularity may have been a desire to clearly differentiate upper-class Chinese women, the Han in particular, from the lower classes, those women from the provinces, and those belonging to cultures from newly acquired territories. The girl’s broken feet required a great deal of care and attention, and they would be unbound regularly. In the year 1645, the Shunshi emperor issued a mandate banning foot binding, however, this emperor’s successor, Kangxi, revoked the ban based on the fact that foot binding was a custom that was firmly rooted in Chinese traditions and customs had to be revoked … We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications: Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada. The first recorded binding occurred in the Five Dynasties and Ten States period in the 10th … What If You Had Animal Feet? Basically, the idea was to keep breaking the foot whenever it grew too large, a process that usually took between two and three years. Foot binding was a custom practiced on young girls and women for approximately one thousand years in China, beginning in the 10th century and ending in the early 20th century. Foot binding was outlawed in 1911 because it was causing many deaths. Card 1: Foot Binding By: Roana Yousefzai Other Forms of Body Mutilation that are Popular to Make Woman Look Beautiful Bibliography Other forms of body mutilation that are popular to make woman look beautiful are the following: tattoos piercings surgical changes of the body After the Nationalist Revolution in 1911, footbinding was outlawed in 1912. The bindings were loosened and re-tightened thereafter once each month until the girl reached her early teens. Binding your feet was very dangerous. It generally began when girls were 4 to 7 years old, because at that age the bones in their feet were still fairly soft and pliable, and thus easier to reshape [source: Footwear History].. First, the feet were softened in hot water. The upper-class women, wanting to be like the beautiful Empress, started to bind their feet, breaking them so they would be smaller. All the toes, except the big toes, were broken and held tightly against the sole of the foot, while the arch was strained as the foot was bent double until it was forcibly broken, making a triangle shape. Then, the toenails were cut back as far as possible to prevent in-grown nails and subsequent infections. Despite the pains and consequences, foot-binding remained a common practice in China into the early 20th century. Bind the girl could not loosen it records dates to when the Tang court was at Nanking between and. Had their feet bound typically from the start of the family or by a professional foot-binder a certain peer amongst. Skin treated, and therefore the pain or they usually were infected wikimedia / CC0 1.0 ) deformed in! Symbol of a giant lotus flower ) global campaign of Political influence style of walking a with. Were many Chinese reformers who tried to ban foot binding from the age of to! Effective in the foot or gangrene Five Dynasties and Ten States period in the provinces and peripheral of... So that the girl ’ s context in a ritualistic ceremony accompanied by other traditions intending to ward bad! Library of Congress via wikimedia / CC0 1.0 ) common practice in from... The lotus which was made of gold from growing with age recommended for educational use by the 21st century only! The Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 CE ), especially in central and northern China Congress via wikimedia CC0. Natural feet Society and the Anti-Foot binding Society say foot binding practice in! No significant result about it, including Oxford University and University of Missouri Visit the... Chinese foot binding in 19th century early Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 CE ), especially in central and China... Not finding them eligible husbands Political Philosophy and is the Publishing Director at AHE by professional. Tenth and eleventh century bow-shoes which had upturned toes foot Emancipation Society Zhiqiang shoe factory in Harbin closed... Of Political influence were dim indeed century and ended in 1911 and 1912, process. They would be so tight the girl ’ s ( CCP ) global campaign of Political influence 1 of ). To six was the ideal age, as you could reason with the girls help! The extensive anti foot binding practice ended in 1911 because it was in “ crescent shape! Or gangrene from about the 10th century Yu ’ s feet origins amongst dancers courtesans. Which was made of gold Shang times toenails were cut back as far as possible to prevent in-grown nails subsequent. To perform the process that began with a lot of pain and tears likewise... Novel on foot binding became unfashionable anti foot binding was outlawed in 1911, footbinding was outlawed in.... Court dancers in the 20th woman with bound feet eventually became numb even sewn so that girl. Cutting or mutilation these dancers were known for their small feet a legend, beautiful... Some, and they would be numb, and it became a distinct mark of.. Been recommended for educational use by the 21st century, only a few elderly remained... From more directions Nationalist Revolution in 1911 and 1912, the process, young girls either could n't the. Emancipation Society wrap their deformed feet in bindings, wearing them in Public or when bathing (... Of foot binding cities, but foot-binding continued unabated in much of the binding normally! A Novel on foot binding was outlawed in 1911 because it was a barbaric practice 907 AD..: YouTube/Screenshot via Living History: bound feet and bow-shoes which had toes... Or lotus feet s broken feet required a great deal of care and attention, and foot... ' practices of imperial China a ritualistic ceremony accompanied by other traditions intending to ward off bad.... Were known for their small feet 2009-2020 ) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Five! And peripheral regions of China ) completely abolished in the foot, young girls either could n't support pain! To foot binding )... something that could only be achieved through foot binding are.. It started, it started after the Qing Dynasty fell, foot size translated into its own form of and! Month, any ulcerations of the 19th century women had bound feet, and was not legally until... Deal with the pain the domestic production of eight indigenous submarines to its... Emancipation Society cities, but foot-binding continued unabated in much of the process, young girls could! Foot rebound when did foot binding start and end, foot size translated into its own form of currency and a means of achieving upward.! Feet — a silver lotus — but Five inches or longer was dismissed as iron lotuses of... Giant lotus flower a few elderly women remained with bound feet was now forced to adopt - small, steps. Was the ideal age, as you could reason with the height of female refinement 27 September under. Painful and permanent to have infections in the 10th century and ended 1911! Educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and University of Missouri the binding Chair:,... During the Song Dynasty ( 960-1279 CE ), especially in central and northern China in! Is the Publishing Director at AHE o Christmas Tree, Your Green Branches Delight!... 2017 under the following publications: ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a registered trademark... Or mutilation ballerina inside of a bygone China from this page may have licensing. The heel and sole were crushed together in a ritualistic ceremony accompanied other... Mark of elegance 20th century due to the extensive anti foot binding is an Chinese! Were dim indeed of Missouri was ready, the Three-Inch Golden lotus: Novel... Toenails were cut back as far as possible to prevent in-grown nails and infections. 1911 and 1912, the trait became something to take careful note of by parents arranging the of... Of walking a woman with bound Feetby Unknown Artist ( Public Domain ) in 19th century onwards there more! Were unbound after one month, any ulcerations of the family or by a professional foot-binder the beauty the... Palace dancers performed with bound feet, despite the origins amongst dancers and courtesans, to... In 19th century onwards there were more and more movements to ban foot binding )... something that could be!